4x4x48 Challenge ; May 26th – 28th
This is a running challenge popularized by “fitness celebrity” David Goggins. The format is simple, but it ain’t easy. Run 4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours for a total of 12 runs and 48 miles.
The North Durham resident crew did almost all of the runs together at a few different locations in Durham. Although some of the launch sites were repeated, the 12 routes we ran were all slightly different. Blanche started the running in Durham, made a stop in Greensboro, and then did the majority of his running at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. Bump Draft did his running, almost entirely solo, in Briar Chapel.
1. 5/26 12:00PM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees, Frozen Peas, Sgt Gekko, Blanche, Texas Instruments, ShakeIt
The opening run took place near Frozen Peas office on his lunch break. Carlton and Toucan had to run separately and closer to their own workplaces.
Bump: 12 pm (Briar Chapel)-
The first leg was way too fast. Average pace was 8:20 per mile. YHC paid for that later. In fact, I paid the rest of the week for Qing on Friday morning and did too much in general.
2. 5/26 4:00PM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees, Frozen Peas, Sgt Gekko, Blanche, Texas Instruments, Carlton, Toucan
We started this run at Duke East Campus. This was the last time we ran with Blanche. He headed off to Smith Mountain Lake (with a stop in Greensboro) after this run. The 6 North Durham resident PAX did this run and all subsequent runs together.
Bump: 5:30 p.m. (Briar Chapel)-
I coached a tennis lesson to 9 very eager elementary kids in Cary at 4. I drove back to Briar Chapel, changed clothes, and headed out for another way to fast 4-miler.
3. 5/26 8:00PM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees and 2.0 daughter, Frozen Peas, Sgt Gekko, Texas Instruments, Carlton, Toucan
We launched from the Crystal Lake neighborhood. Frozen Peas was bumping Yacht Rock tunes from his bluetooth speaker. This lifted the mood considerably. The run ended with a foot race between Happy Trees and his 2.0 (winner).
Blanche ran from Greensboro home as a pit stop enroute to Smith Mountain Lake
Bump: 8 pm (Briar Chapel)
I ran much slower on the third leg. I paid for running too fast earlier. Legs were definitely sore.
4. 5/27 12:00AM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees, Frozen Peas, Sgt Gekko, Carlton, Toucan
We launched from Casa Chowdah and ran in the Croasdaile and Croasdaile Farm neighborhood. Most of us agreed this was one of the more difficult runs of the entire 2 days. Happy Trees, Carlton, and Frozen Peas crashed at Chowdah’s during the overnight sessions (both days).
Blanche left a cabin of inebriated ECU kids plus wife. Upon returning his daughter said " crap Dad. Are you doing that crazy thing??"
Bump 12 am (Briar Chapel):
I needed to find a flatter route. If you watched any of my post-run Instagram lives, you know that I do not like running in the dark by myself. It’s called cowardice. Very sore (10:10 pace).
5. 5/27 4:00AM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees, Frozen Peas, Sgt Gekko, Carlton, Toucan
We again launched from Casa Chowdah but this time ran mostly on the golf course. Despite being another into the challenge and operating on little sleep this run seemed more enjoyable than Run #4. The height differential of Happy Trees headlamp and Sgt Gekko’s waist light was an amusing visual as they approached the finish point together in the darkness.
Blanche had a fight with his pixel watch.
Bump 4 am (Briar Chapel):
My legs were cramping the entire run. I was also preparing to head directly back home to head to EC and ME at The Battering Ram. Pace was 9:57 per mile.
6. 5/27 8:00AM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees, Frozen Peas, Sgt Gekko, Carlton, Toucan and 2.0 son, Sodapopinski
We launched from Hillandale Elementary (Hurricanrana AO). Daylight and guest appearances boosted morale for this run. Soda brought bagels for post-run fuel. Might have been the best bagel I’ve ever eaten given the circumstances. Cue the Bon Jovi cuz we’re halfway there.
Blanche’s pixel watch situation continued to devolve and overran the route by .2
Bump 5:35 am (Hooker Fields and Chapel Hill):
Don’t tell Chowdah that I ran the 8 am leg hours early. In fact, I basically ran two legs back-to-back. I take my site Q duties at TBR very seriously, and don’t miss unless I’m either too sick to walk or OOT. Thankfully, I had running partners in Uzi, Flapjack, and Banana Skin. This run, I believe, helped me accomplish the rest of it.
7. 5/27 12:00PM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees, Frozen Peas and 2.0 Beast, Sgt Gekko, Carlton, Toucan, Texas Instruments, Woodpecker, Iggy Peck
We launched from Oval Park near NCSSM as Texas Instruments was attending graduation there. Great to have more new guest appearances. Any resemblance the Strava route map may have to anything is purely coincidental and simply the interpretation of the observer. Homemade scones from Chowdah’s M were provided post-run.
Blanche actually did a little homework and figured out his watch and started to hit 4.0 on the dot each route
Bump 12 p.m. (Briar Chapel):
I felt great. I ramped the pace back to sub-9 minutes. Yes, I paid for it later in the day.
8. 5/27 4:00PM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees, Frozen Peas, Sgt Gekko, Carlton, Toucan, Green Egg, ShakeIt, Rooney
We ran the track at Riverside HS (Jolly Roger AO). Getting off the pavement and switching off the brain to just run in circles was a welcomed break and it was great to have 3 additional runners. ShakeIt earned the distinction of the only 2x guest runner. 4 miles around the track was of course not enough running for ShakeIt and Rooney so they folded that into larger runs.
Blanche decided to try a different route that turned out to be a bit hilly.
Bump 4 p.m. (Briar Chapel)
I ran another sub-9 clip. Chowdah cautioned me that I was running too fast. He was right, and I was wrong. Rain was also coming down pretty significantly.
9. 5/27 8:00PM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees, Frozen Peas, Sgt Gekko, Carlton, Toucan, Misery
We launched from Duke East campus and did laps around the wall. Misery’s stride is poetry in motion but sadly he provided no verse beyond that. Happy Trees brought a dozen Krispy Kremes for post-run snack.
Blanche went right from running into guitarsb w neighbors on the patio lakeside…more than a little stinky
Bump 8 p.m. (Briar Chapel):
Why did I eat dinner at 7:15????? It’s interesting digesting one’s dinner while running four miles. My pace was once again slower once nighttime hours arrived.
10. 5/28 12:00AM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees, Frozen Peas, Sgt Gekko, Carlton, Toucan
We again launched from Casa Chowdah but on a different route from Run 4. 90’s rock playlist on Frozen Peas’ speaker greatly improved the experience for this midnight run.
Blanche missing the boys a lot.
Bump 12 am (Briar Chapel and Culbreth Middle School track):
My fears about running in the dark were confirmed. About 200 meters into my run two sets of barking and growling eyes came running out of the woods, forcing me to sprint back home without getting bit. Shaken and angry, I drove to Culbreth Middle to run 4 miles on the track. This was not an easy run. Legs were absolutely destroyed.
11. 5/28 4:00AM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees, Frozen Peas, Sgt Gekko, Carlton, Toucan
We again launched from Crystal Lake with another modified route. We finished in time to avoid the hardest rain of the night. We can see the finish line in the distance at this point.
Back in Virginia Blanche ran a lonely, cold rainy route out back.
Bump 5:30 am (Briar Chapel):
I needed a bit more sleep about a tumultuous 12 am leg. Back in BC, no dog attacks, but very slow and sore. I was genuinely worried about running at 8 because of the soreness in my legs.
12. 5/28 8:00AM
Runners: Chowdah, Happy Trees, Frozen Peas, Sgt Gekko, Carlton, Toucan, Sparky
We launched from Hillandale Elementary and were joined by Sparky. Toucan’s M kindly procured Bojangles biscuits and coffee while we ran. The post-run coffeeteria also included a delicious spice cake made by Sgt Gekko’s M.
Blanche was met at the driveway by F3 Explosion from Greensboro. What a cool surprise. Fitbit sleep score : 0/10
Bump 8 (Briar Chapel):
I left off of my back porch like I had done all weekend. This time my legs were aching so much that I was running on my tiptoes. Thankfully, a familiar English voice rang out behind me and it was my friends Cricket and Paperboy. They were running a half in BC, and I joined them for the final three miles of my run. Without a doubt, these two tough guys got me through it. It’s amazing how running or working out with others changes it all. In essence, I guess, that’s F3.
I wanted to join the PAX in North Durham for the final run, but I would have probably fallen asleep behind the wheel. However, I kept reminding myself that the North Durham guys were knocking out at every interval. I couldn’t stop.
I’m thankful that Chowdah put this event together. I would never have done anything like this on my own. Many asked me why I was doing this, and I always thought to myself: “I’m doing this because my F3 brothers put the opportunity in front of me.” Aye!
What an incredible experience. It was fun, grueling, stupid and many many other adjectives that my exhaustion-addled brain can’t produce right now. Congrats to the 8 PAX that completed the challenge. Thanks to those that ran along with us and to many others that provided support in other ways. Aye! – Chowdah